Under the aforesaid pictures are placed large sophas, covered with crimson damask and richly ornamented. This gallery is lighted up for the reception of company in the evenings, by means of four glass lustres, consisting in all of as many branches as will receive 100 large wax candles, and suspended from the ceiling by long chains, magnificently gilt. We shall close our imperfect account of this stately gallery, by wishing that it was in the power of words to describe the fine effects, which arise from a view of its numberless beauties.
Besides the apartments already mentioned, there are above 140 rooms more in this house; which, being so numerous, and chiefly appropriated to the private uses of the family, cannot be particularly described in a work of this nature; however, we must add, that Lord and Lady Northumberland’s apartments are very commodious and elegantly furnished; her Ladyship’s closet is even a repository of curiosities, and, amongst other valuable things, contains so fine a collection of pictures, as to afford a most pleasing and almost endless entertainment to a connoisseur. The two libraries also consist of a great variety of books on the most useful and curious subjects, collected with judgement.
South View of Northumberland House.
S. Wale delin. C. Grignion sculp.
We have hitherto endeavoured to give some idea of the gradual improvements, by which Northumberland House acquired its present grandeur and magnificence; but we cannot take our leave of it without conducting, as it were, the reader into the garden, where he may enjoy the quiet and tranquility of the country amidst the noise and distraction of the town, and contrast the simple beauties of nature, with the stately productions of art.
It lies between the house and the Thames, and forms a pleasing piece of scenery before the principal apartments; for it consists of a fine lawn surrounded with a neat gravel walk, and bounded next the walls by a border of curious flowers, shrubs and ever-greens. At the end of the garden beyond the wall, were a few buildings which his Lordship ordered to be taken down, to open a larger prospect across the Thames to Southwark, and into the country behind it. And, as the horizon is finely diversified with hills, which when every thing is compleated, will appear as it were in the back scene, the view will command a very beautiful landscape.
Northumberland place, Fenchurch street.
Northumberland street, a handsome street now building in the Strand, by Northumberland House, down to the Thames, the houses in Hartshorn alley being pulled down for that purpose.
Norton Falgate, a street which extends from the end of Bishopsgate without to Shoreditch.
Norwich court, East Smithfield.